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County commissioners agreed Tuesday to hold off on a public hearing on the matter that had been set for March 19 at the urging of assistant county attorney Kristi Sims, who pointed out the bevy of lawsuits pending on the issue.

"We were told by Hillsborough County that they're not enforcing their local options regulations," she said. "In Pinellas, they have been sued in state and federal court over their regulations."

Sims said it could take up to year for those matters to be resolved.

"I think it would be prudent to get as much information as possible," said Commissioner Pat Mulieri, who supported tightening the rules.

Commissioner Jack Mariano, who opposed the proposal, said he thought the county should approve a resolution supporting the Second Amendment. Commissioner Henry Wilson Jr. agreed. "We do a resolution for the soccer club," he said. "Why not the Second Amendment?"

The idea drew criticism from Mulieri, who said questioned where it would stop.

"I think if we do it for one we need to do it for all," she said. "I'm not signing it."

State law requires a background check for gun sales at retail shops (as well as a three-day waiting period for handgun sales), but leaves the rules for gun shows up to the counties.